UNFPA Georgia Office & Avon Cosmetics Georgia Collaboration Kicks Off

On July 22, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Georgia Office and Avon Cosmetics Georgia concluded a Cooperation Agreement. The Agreement was signed by Lela Bakradze, UNFPA Georgia Country Office Head and Ana Tskhadadze, Director of Avon Cosmetics Georgia.

The purpose of cooperation is to eradicate the harmful practice of early/child marriages through the empowerment of adolescent girls and young women, which is one of the main strategies for state building based on equality and democratic values, and one of the key priorities of the UNFPA Georgia Office.

‘Avon’ as an international brand that globally supports the protection of women’s rights, the fight against violence and the eradication of malicious practices. In Georgia, in partnership with the UNFPA, it will finance an awareness-raising campaign on gender equality focusing on the empowerment of adolescent girls and young women. The purpose of the joint campaign is to:

- Support gender equality and women’s rights;

- Eradicate harmful practices and gender based violence;

- Support sexual and reproductive health, and reproductive rights;

- Inform adolescent girls and young women about their rights established by Georgian law and international agreements;

- Inform adolescent girls and young women about their opportunities; and motivate them to become active in defending their rights;

“Cooperation with the private sector and the involvement of businesses with a high sence of social responsibility in the process of advocacy for women’s rights is very important for the UNFPA,” said Bakradze. “We believe that conclusion of the Coopeation Agreement with Avon Cosmetics Georgia will open prospects for a very fruitful cooperation contributing to the empowerment of women and girls. It has to be highlighted that it is the first time the UNFPA Georgia has received a direct fiancial contribution from the private sector.”

According to Ana Tskhadze, Director of Avon Cosmetics Georgia, “Avon is not only a company of the beauty industry but is a company that makes women’s lives better, offers them a better future and works in the beauty industry to achieve it. The ‘True Power of Beauty’ is the value that describes the mission of the company best. A better future for women means that Avon is vocalizing the problem of gender unequality and violence globally, and I am indeed pleased that today we are establishing a longterm cooperation in Georgia as well.”

Initially, the Agreement is concluded for a two-year period. The partners will start implementation of the relevant activities from September 2020.

Photo by Gela Bedianashvili/UNFPA Georgia